As a photographer, I spend a great deal of time looking at other photographer’s work. I look at my local competition, search the internet, and I look through books and magazines trying to find the best and most intriguing. During the great deal of time I spend Googling photos, a few photographers stand out to me. I find myself going back to view and study their work a lot. I have bookmarked their sites and I follow their blogs watching for their latest photographs. Their photographs stand out on another level not matched by very many. What makes their work stand out from many photographers is how many of their images tell a story in one frame. They make you stop and think longer than many other images that you flick by.

This is my Top 10 Best Portrait Photographers Today list. This top 10 list is comprised of a selection of my personal top 10 portrait photographers today. These photographers stand out because they are very good, PERIOD. I will admit that there are other factors that got them to my top 10 list. Many of them are already well-known (because they are the best) and that helped to get their images in front of my eyes. Some of them are actually famous which Google does a good job at putting towards the top of many of my search terms since everyone else is writing about them too. Factors like these really can mess with someone making a top 10 best of list as there are 1,000s of great photographers that could have easily made this list if I had seen their portrait works. Plus a top 10 photographer list is pretty hard to narrow down. I could have done a top 2,500 list but nobody would have read it. So take my selections with a grain of salt that this isn’t the one and only top 10 portrait photographer list. A few other factors went into my list like, a few of the selected photographers offer training to help other photographers in mastering this craft. The list below is in no particular order and feel free to share anywhere you wish, please just keep my link included at the top or bottom.

Travis Dewitz

My name is Travis Dewitz and I am from Eau Claire, Wisconsin. My specialty is commercial photography with a love for expressive portraits. My work is Conceptual, Emotive, Editorial, Surreal and Eclectic. I am passionate about fashioning new worlds through photographs as I extend my visions beyond the realm of the camera. I have incredible vision, which you can see in all of my photos.
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Comments (39)

Wylee

I feel somewhat comforted by the idea that the one woman photographer you included is the only photographer whose work I immediately recognize. On the other hand, it does seem like a rather male-heavy list, doesn’t it? Or is it just me? I’m sure it’s just me. Carry on.

Great suggestion, Jordan. I will say I’m not a big fan of her latest set of high detail (HDR looking) portraits but they are unique and eye catching. Her other work is great. Very inspiring. Thanks again.

CHARLES T.H.

I also like Robert Maxwell’s B&W and I do agree with Wylee’s earlier comment that adding another female to your top 10 would have been a good move. I am not a feminist but more of an egalitarian in today’s complex society.. Cheers!

I can say that I only choose the photographers by the work that I found and not by the name attached to it. I love Sally Manns work, but she has a very narrow field of portrait subjects that she works with which was the reason she didn’t make the list. Not a global enough appeal. Do any female portrait photographers come to mind whose work should take the place of someone on my list? I really would love to know. Thank you for your suggestions.

Ed

Thanks for the picks. You have highlighted some really great photographers. Are you familiar with the work of George DeLoache out of Los Angeles. He is has received the Eastman Kodak Gallery Elite Awards in the portrait category. Check out his websites.http://www.deloachephoto.com and http://www.georgedeloache.com

Diane M

I absolutely love, love love Scott Kelby’s work. Absolute genius. Thanks for sharing this post and I cant wait to ckeck out the rest of the people on the list. Readers might want to check out this tutorial on cool photography tricks they can use on their own bit.ly/fotomasterclass